Hey guys. Happy New Year! First update of 2010. :) You all are lucky I could even get up today after the party I went to last night. :)

Disclaimer: Not mine. :)

Enjoy!

EPOV

I frowned at Alice from across the room, narrowing my eyes and trying to see past her evasive thoughts. It wasn't easy; she had more practice at hiding things from me than she should. She laughed at my expression and went back to translating show tunes from English to German in her head.

I was suddenly pulled away from my annoying sister as Jasper's presence entered my mind, followed by Bella's scent. Sufficiently distracted, I jumped to my feet and sprinted outside, anxious to see her again.

"Edward!" Bella called to me as she and Jasper broke through the dense line of trees at the edge of the forest. I grinned at her and ran to meet Jasper half-way, catching her from his back and pulling her into a tight hug.

"Why are you here?" I asked her, setting her on her feet, but keeping her hand. She was suddenly uncomfortable, looking away from my face to Jasper's. I turned to him, expecting an answer, but he ignored me, his thoughts centered around Alice.

"Come on." Bella said, tugging me toward the house. I followed willingly, curious. She didn't usually make surprise visits like this, and I was suddenly unsure. I knew Alice had seen something, something that she felt the need to hide from me. Could it have something to do with this?

"Everyone?" Bella called, and she jumped as my family abruptly appeared before her.

"Bella!" Emmett boomed. "I thought I smelled you!" He swept her up in a hug and spun her around in a circle before releasing her back to me.

She grinned at him. "Hey, Emmett."

"Bella has something she'd like to discuss with us all." Jasper said, crossing the room to stand beside her, Alice practically bouncing with excitement next to him. My family turned to her with probing eyes and she blushed. Without speaking, she walked to the couch and sat down, pulling me with her. As everyone took a seat, she took a deep breath.

"These past few months, I've had a big decision facing me." She began, and I tensed automatically. So that was what this was about… "And, I know what my choice is." A low growl vibrated deep in my chest, and she glanced my way. "I will not be swayed on this, either. It is far too important." She looked away again and I clenched my hands into fists, grinding my teeth.

After a moment of silence, she continued. "I want to be like you all. I want to be a part of your family. Forever. And I don't want to wait any longer. I'm ready to join you all. I hope that you'll accept my choice, but I've discussed this with Jasper and I know he will be willing to help me if you all are not."

I stood, and stared at Jasper, his guard falling down, revealing the talk that he and Bella had had. My eyes widened at his reaction to it, although I couldn't help but feel a small part of me, rejoicing in the same way. Shocked, I looked further, examining the feeling and shoving my anger aside.

I did love Bella, without a doubt, and I wanted her to stay with me forever. I was thrilled to know that she felt the same way. It was only my fear of losing her that made this path that she'd chosen so difficult for me to accept. If I could get past that…I frowned internally. The only way that I would ever trust someone with Bella like that would be if it was myself who changed her, and I wasn't sure if I could do that.

Another, even smaller part of my mind told me that I could. No question about it. I would find the control. It wouldn't be easy, but I would not allow myself to become a risk to Bella.

In a brief moment of faith, I embraced the tiny parts of me and sat back down, nodding at Jasper. Bella grinned up at me and grasped my hand tightly, leaning up to kiss my cheek.

"When?" I asked her, relaxed now.

"After graduation. I don't want to wait much longer after then."

"Alright." I sighed, moving my arm to drape it across her shoulders, drawing her closer to my side.

"You're okay with this?" Bella asked.

"Yes." I assured her, stroking the back of her hair.

"Woo hoo!" Emmett cheered. Esme smiled fondly at him and then at Bella.

"Well, I guess we have some planning to get started on." Carlisle announced, clapping his hands together and standing. Jasper nodded at him and rose, too. They made their way up to Carlisle's study.

Alice squealed. "Oh Bella, this is fantastic! You're going to turn out excellently!"

"You can see me?" She gasped.

"Of course." Alice shrugged.

"Alice, you have to show me." Bella's face lit up with excitement.

Alice smiled and dashed up the stairs, returning quickly with a large piece of white paper and her art supplies. She set them on the coffee table and sat on her knees, getting to work.

Bella looked to me, anticipation burning in her eyes. I grinned at her, glad that she was happy. As I looked into her eyes, I saw myself reflected there. All my love and adoration, and, surprisingly, my protectiveness, was doubled. And suddenly, I couldn't help myself. All of these things hit me at once, and I kissed her, my mate. There was no way to deny that.

I pulled away too soon, as always, when Alice cleared her throat. "I'm finished." She stated, holding up her work.

A dark forest scene surrounded the woman in the forefront of the drawing, and a few rays of light shinned through the tree tops, reflecting off of her skin. But I couldn't focus on these things as much as the woman herself. I distinctly recognized her as Bella, although there was definitely a change. She was taller--not by much, maybe an inch and a half--and her hair was slightly longer. But, framed by her creamy pale skin, two crimson eyes shone brightly. I flinched and struggled to focus on the rest of the picture. I was shocked to see the detail that Alice had included. The future Bella's white dress blew slightly in an imagined breeze, but the fabric was torn and stained scarlet with the blood of a drained elk beside her.

I forced myself to look away from the paper and to glance at Bella. She was staring fixedly at the drawing, an unreadable expression on her face.

"Bella?" I murmured, stroking her cheek.

She didn't answer.

"Don't you think you could've picked a better moment to draw for her than the first hunt?" Rosalie snapped at Alice. I glanced at her; it was the first time she'd spoken. Alice bit her lip and looked at Bella.

"You…you mean I won't always look like this?" Bella whispered.

"Of course not." Rosalie told her. "I can't believe you showed her that, of all things." She hissed at Alice. "Bella, honey, can you honestly look at us and think that you will be so different?" Her tone was suddenly soft again and I tilted my head at her.

Rose shrugged. "What? I don't hate her. And…even though I think that she's making the wrong decision, I'm not going to give the family anymore negativity. She's my sister now and I'm going to start treating her like one." She thought. I smiled at her and sighed, relieved that she was accepting Bella. Although Bella was not really sure of their relationship, I was confident that things would work out between them.

"Well…yes. That's what I thought." Bella said, embarrassed.

Rosalie laughed and smiled at her. "Don't worry about it. I promise you'll be stunning."

The two girls shared another smile before Emmett announced that Bella was going to have to go after something better than elk her first hunt.

"Better than elk?" Bella asked him, curious again.

"Definitely. Maybe we can take her fishing." He joked at me.

I growled. "No sharks."

"Sharks!" She exclaimed. "I can't hunt a shark!"

"Of course you can." Emmett laughed. "If you can catch one."

"I'm not much of a swimmer." She confessed, blushing.

"You'll learn." He told her, grinning again.

"Okay, no more ideas." I cut them off. "Come on." I told her, grabbing her hand and leading her to my room.

"Edward?" She asked me when we sat down on my black, leather couch.

"Yes, love?" I relaxed as she stretched out, resting her head on my lap.

She hesitated. "Don't let Emmett teach me to swim with sharks."

I laughed. "You won't be scared of them when they're swimming away from you."

She rolled her eyes and snorted.

"What?" I asked, the hint of a laugh still lingering in my voice.

"I just can't imagine a shark tasting good. At all." She laughed.

I leaned in close to her ear. "They don't." I chuckled at her disgusted expression.

"I knew it. I think I'll be eternally sick of fish after cooking for Charlie so much."

"I'll take you to get something good. Maybe a mountain lion or two. I think you'll enjoy those." I suggested and Bella giggled.

"How about I don't hunt and just stay here with you?" She asked.

"That can be arranged." I murmured, shifting so that she was draped across my chest as I took up most of the couch.

"Mmm." She sighed, and closed her eyes, snuggling into my shoulder.

"Anytime." I added, kissing her hair.

"Tonight?" She asked quietly.

I shrugged. "I'll have Esme call Charlie and set it up."

"Really?"

"Of course." I told her. "Esme?" I called.

"On it!" She replied.

"See?" I said, smiling down at Bella.

Instead of answering, she grinned at me, and kissed me.

"You, Edward Cullen, are so much better than any shark." Bella told me after I pulled away.

"And you are a thousand times better than any mountain lion." I smiled, and she sighed contently, closing her eyes. I started to hum to her, and within seconds, her breathing slowed and I knew she was asleep.

Hope you liked it! Anyway, you all may have noticed I went through and deleted all those old, icky chapters that were only A/N's, except for the Appreciation chapter. Always good to go through and make everything organized, right? :)

And I know that Rosalie hasn't really been in this story much, but don't worry. I like her too much to leave her out of it. :)

Kendra